This Date in Rock Music History: August 5

1956:  Doris Day enjoyed the #1 spot in the U.K. with "Whatever Will Be Will Be". 

1957:  It was the national debut of American Bandstand on ABC-TV, hosted by Dick Clark.  Clark had hosted the show locally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania since 1952.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 4

1957:  The Everly Brothers appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show to perform "Wake Up Little Susie" and "Bye Bye Love".

1958:  Billboard Magazine introduced the Hot 100, a chart that was meant to show the popularity and chart movement of single releases.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 3

1956:  Elvis Presley performed at the Olympia Theater in Miami, Florida, where he would do seven shows in two days.
1959:  The Kingston Trio were on the cover of Life magazine.
1959:  "What'd I Say" by Ray Charles moved into the #1 slot on the R&B chart.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 2

1953:  Skeeter Davis was injured in a car crash outside Cincinnati in which her singing partner, Betty Jack Davis, was killed.  

1957:  The Official Elvis Presley Fan Club was started in the U.K.
1961:  The Beatles began their famous gig as headliners at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, England.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 1

1954:  Fats Domino, Muddy Waters, the Clovers, the Orioles and Little Walter performed at the "Moondog Jubilee of Stars Under the Stars" at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York.  (Note:  some websites report that the event was on July 31, but the correct date is August 1, according to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Goldmine magazine.)
1960:  Aretha Franklin recorded her first non-gospel songs "Today I Sing The Blues", "Over The Rainbow", "Love Is The Only Thing" and "Right Now" at Columbia Recording Studios in New York City.
1960:  Elvis Presley was named Public Enemy #1 by the East German newspaper Young World.  Which explains why there is no more East Germany--anyone that dumb has no right being a country.

This Date in Rock Music History: July 31

1959:  Neil Sedaka recorded four takes of the song "Oh Carol!" that he had written for Carole King.

1959:  Cliff Richard ruled the U.K. chart with "Living Doll".
1961:  "The Boll Weevil Song" by Brook Benton was #1 on the Easy Listening chart for the third week.

This Date in Rock Music History: July 30

1954:  Elvis Presley performed at the Overton Park Shell in Memphis, Tennessee.
1956:  Brenda Lee recorded "Jambalaya" during her first recording session in Nashville, Tennessee.
1957:  The Elvis Presley movie Loving You opened in theaters nationwide.
1960:  Elvis Is Back was the #1 album in the U.K.